Radio frequency identification (rfid) label and method for making the label

ABSTRACT

The invention consists in an RFID label consisting of at least: one functional layer comprising at least one electronic component, one antenna connected to the electronic component; one upper layer; one lower layer having an adhesive surface; wherein the upper and lower layers consist of one or more materials capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering the ultraviolet radiation. The invention also includes the method for manufacturing the RFID label and the machine applying the method for manufacturing the RFID label.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of French Patent Application No.09/01619, filed on Apr. 3, 2009, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) and more particularly to RFID labels.

BACKGROUND

The present invention proposes an RFID label and its manufacturingmethod.

Identification by a radiofrequency is increasingly widespread in orderto be used in many fields. This type of identification is generallybased on a system consisting of a chip or an electronic component and ofan antenna associated with a backing. This backing may have severalshapes. For example, it may be in the form of an RFID card, also calleda contactless chip card allowing for example identification of persons,thereby authorizing entry into a building or delivery of services towhich the identified person has subscribed. It may also be in the formof a label adhesively bonded on a product used commercially foridentifying this product or on the windscreen of a vehicle therebyauthorizing access for example to a car park or motorway afteridentification.

RFID labels have to meet several requirements. One of them is resistanceto light. Indeed, RFID labels used for vehicles, adhesively bondedbehind a windscreen are subject to the action of ultraviolet rays (UV)from the sun which cause rapid degradation of the label and thereforedeterioration of the chip and antenna system.

The object of the present invention is to provide a technical solutionby proposing an RFID label, its manufacturing method and a machine,according to the method for manufacturing the RFID label.

In order to achieve this object, the RFID label consists of at least:

-   -   one functional layer comprising at least:        -   one electronic component;        -   an antenna connected to the electronic component;    -   one upper layer;    -   one lower layer having an adhesive face;

wherein the upper and lower layers consist of one or more materialscapable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filteringultraviolet radiation.

According to another particularity, the upper layer is in paper.

According to another particularity, the upper layer is in a syntheticmaterial having a printable coating.

According to another particularity, the lower layer is in paper capableof resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering ultravioletradiation and having a pressure sensitive face protected by a detachablelayer.

According to another particularity, the lower layer is in a syntheticmaterial capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or offiltering ultraviolet radiation and having a pressure sensitive faceprotected by a detachable layer.

According to another particularity, the lower layer has a printablesurface. According to another particularity, the pressure sensitive faceconsists of an adhesive, the physico-chemical properties of which do notdeteriorate if it is subject to ultraviolet radiation.

According to another particularity, the detachable layer is in paper.

According to another particularity, the detachable layer is in syntheticmaterial.

According to another particularity, the detachable layer is siliconized.

According to another particularity, the functional layer is in paper onwhich is etched or printed the antenna connected to the electroniccomponent.

According to another particularity, the functional layer is in flexiblesynthetic material on which is etched or printed the antenna connectedto the electronic component.

According to another particularity, the layers are assembled together byadhesive bonding.

According to another particularity, the upper layer (1) and/or the lowerlayer (2) and/or the functional layer (3) have a combination of inkscapable of resisting to ultraviolet radiations and/or of filteringultraviolet radiation.

According to another particularity, the upper layer (1) and/or the lowerlayer (2) and/or the functional layer (3) have one or more layers forprinting a combination of inks capable of resisting to ultravioletradiations and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation.

Another object is achieved by proposing a method for making the RFIDlabel wherein the upper layer and the lower layer are continuously fedby reels providing strips with a width at least equal to a multiple ofone of the dimensions of the RFID label, in that the functional layer iscontinuously fed by at least one reel providing at least one strip inparallel and in that it includes at least the following steps:

-   -   a step for continuous pre-printing and/or continuous pre-cutting        the strip of the lower layer into a plurality of labels;    -   a step for continuously pasting or depositing the plurality of        labels of the strip of the lower layer onto the strip of a        detachable layer;

if need be, a step for continuously printing the strip of the upperlayer;

-   -   a step for continuously depositing the strip(s) of the        functional layer onto the sized inner surface of the strip of        the lower layer;    -   a step for continuously depositing the sized strip of the upper        layer onto the strip(s) of the functional layer;    -   a continuous cutting step;    -   an on-line continuous control step;    -   an on-line continuous graphic and electric customization step.

According to another particularity, the inner surface of the strip ofthe lower layer and the strip of the upper layer are sized.

According to another particularity, the pre-printing step consists in astep for continuously printing the inner surface of the strip of thelower layer followed by a step for continuously printing the outersurface of the strip of the upper layer.

According to another particularity, the pre-printing step consists in astep for continuously printing the outer surface of the strip of theupper layer followed by a step for continuously printing the innersurface of the strip of the lower layer.

According to another particularity, the step for continuously pasting ordepositing the plurality of labels of the strip of the lower layer ontothe strip of a detachable layer is followed by a waste stripping step ifthe step for continuously pre-cutting the strip of the lower layer intoa plurality of labels has been carried out.

According to another particularity, the step for continuously pasting ordepositing the plurality of labels of the sized strip of the upper layeronto the strips of the functional layer is followed by a pressing step.

According to another particularity, the continuous cutting step consistsin cutting out the assembled strips in strips of dimensions at leastequal to the length or to the width of an RFID label and then winding upthe cut-out strips as bobbins.

According to another particularity, the continuous cutting step consistsin cutting out the assembled strips in strips with dimensions at leastequal to the length or to the width of an RFID label and then foldingthe cut-out strips as fanfolds.

According to another particularity, the continuous cutting step consistsin cutting out the assembled strips into individual RFID labels.

According to another particularity, the on-line control step is achievedby means of a reader antenna.

According to another particularity, the customization step is followedby a conditioning step.

Another object is achieved by proposing a machine for productionaccording to the method for manufacturing the RFID label including anon-line succession of stations including at least:

-   -   a reel feeding station for the lower layer,    -   a reel feeding station for the upper layer,    -   a station including at least one reel feeding module for the        strip of the functional layer.    -   at least one station for printing the upper layer.

According to another particularity, the machine further includes:

-   -   a reel feeding station for the detachable layer,    -   two automatic labeling heads for continuously depositing the        lower adhesive surface of the strip of the lower layer onto the        strip of the detachable layer.

According to another particularity, the machine further includes:

-   -   a forming station for the cutting-out,    -   a forming station for presenting the RFID labels as bobbins,        fanfolds or individual RFID labels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other particularities and advantages of the present invention willbecome more clearly apparent upon reading the description hereafter,made with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of the RFID label;

FIG. 2 illustrates the method for making the RFID label;

FIG. 3 illustrates the machine according to the method for manufacturingthe RFID label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, the invention relates to an RFID label (0)consisting of at least:

-   -   one functional layer (3) comprising at least:        -   one electronic component (301),        -   one antenna connected to the electronic component (301);    -   one upper layer (1);    -   one lower layer (2) having an adhesive layer;

wherein the upper and lower layers consist of one or more materialscapable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering theultraviolet radiation and protecting the label against the latter.

The upper layer (1) for example is a polyester backing having athickness from 15 μm to 200 μm.

The functional layer (3) is a backing, for example in PET (polyethyleneterephthalate), on which is etched an antenna, for example in aluminium,connected to a high frequency or ultrahigh frequency electroniccomponent (301), for example in silicon. Depending on the integrator andthe type of protocol, the design of the antenna and the type of theelectronic component (301) are variable.

The lower layer (2) for example is an acrylic or PET backing having apressure sensitive face and a thickness varying from 15 μm to 200 μm forexample.

The pressure sensitive face of the lower layer (2) is protected by asiliconized detachable layer (4), in paper or synthetic material havinga thickness varying from 15 μm to 120 μm for example. The detachablelayer (4) provides a protection against dirt and involuntary adhesion ofthe pressure sensitive surface of the RFID label. The face opposite tothe pressure sensitive face of the lower layer (2) is printable.

The adhesive used for the pressure sensitive surface of the lower layer(2) is capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation.

In a non-limiting way, the face opposite to the pressure sensitive faceof the lower layer (2) is printable with inks, for example flexographicinks, providing protection against ultraviolet radiation to the RFIDlabel.

The printing of the lower layer (2) by inks providing protection againstultraviolet radiation allows to create a supplementary protection layerof the label (0) against ultraviolet radiation. The supplementaryprotection layer (5) is created, for example, by a black flexographiclayer, by a white screen printing layer and by a screen printing. Thescreen printing is first carried out, then the white screen printinglayer and then the black flexographic layer. This further gives aprotection for the electronic component and for the antenna against theultraviolet radiation.

In a non-limiting way, protection of the label against ultravioletradiation may be ensured by a combination of inks capable of resistingto ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering the ultraviolet radiation.Several printing layers of a same ink are capable of resisting toultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering the ultraviolet radiation.

The functional layer (3) is sandwiched between the upper layer (1) andthe lower layer (2).

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the method for manufacturing the RFIDlabel (0) includes several steps with which it is possible to achieveprinting, complexing and forming of the RFID label (0) during a singlepass on a press (10).

Before passing on the press (10), the lower layer (2) and the upperlayer (1) are continuously fed by reels (103, 203) providing strips witha width at least equal to a multiple of one of the dimensions of theRFID label (0) allowing RFID labels (0) to be made continuously.

The functional layer (3) is continuously fed by at least one reel (3031,3032) providing at least one strip in parallel thereby allowingcontinuous manufacturing of series of at least one RFID label (0).

According to a configuration, the width of the strips is at least equalto a multiple of the width of the RFID label (0).

According to another configuration, the width of the strips is at leastequal to a multiple of the length of the RFID label (0).

In a first step (Etp1), the strip from the reel (203) forming the lowerlayer (2) is unwound in order to allow continuous pre-printing of thestrip of the lower layer (2) for a plurality of labels. Pre-printing ofthe lower layer (2) is achieved on a press. Printing allows the RFIDlabel (0) to be protected against ultraviolet radiation. The series oflabels upon exiting the step (Etp1) may for example appear as bobbins oflabels.

This step (Etp1) may be accompanied by a step for continuouslypre-cutting out the strip of the lower layer (2) into a plurality oflabels to the dimensions of the RFID label (0).

According to a configuration, a following step (Etp2) consists ofcontinuously pasting or depositing the plurality of labels of the lowerlayer (2), made in the preceding step, onto the detachable layer (4) bymeans of automatic labeling heads.

If a pre-cutting step has been carried out in the preceding step (Etp1),a waste stripping step is carried out in order to remove the unnecessaryportions of the strip of the lower layer (2).

In a following step (Etp3), the strip of the reel (103) forming thematerial of the upper layer (1) is continuously unwound in order toallow continuous printing of the strips of the upper layers (1).Printing is carried out in line.

In a following step (Etp4), the reels (3031, 3032) making up thefunctional layer (3) are continuously unwound in order to becontinuously deposited on the complex, consisting of the detachablelayer (4) and of the lower layer (2). Adhesive is deposited on thecomplex. The adhesive used is, in a non-limiting way, a hot meltadhesive or a water-based or solvent-based adhesive or any otheradhesive capable of effectively and durably maintaining together thelayers of the RFID label (0). The strips forming the functional layer(3) are continuously cut out into individual functional layers. Eachfunctional layer (3) is then continuously deposited on the sized area ofthe complex.

In a following step (Etp5), the reel (103) making up the upper layer (1)is continuously unwound in order to continuously deposit the strip ofthe upper layer (1) onto the functional layers (3) adhesively bondedonto the lower layer (2) in the preceding step (Etp4). Adhesive isdeposited on the inner surface of the upper layer (1) before it willadhesively bond it onto the complex by pressing.

In a following step (Etp6), forming of the RFID labels is performed.

According to a configuration, the strips assembled in the precedingsteps are continuously cut out longitudinally in order to obtain aplurality of strips with dimensions at least equal to the length or thewidth of an RFID label (0) and the number of strips of which is equal tothe number of reels of functional layer (3). Each obtained strip is thenwound up as bobbins.

According to another configuration, the strips assembled in thepreceding steps are continuously cut out longitudinally in order toobtain a plurality of strips with dimensions at least equal to thelength of an RFID label (0) and the number of strips of which is equalto the number of reels of functional layer (3). Each strip is subject toa series of perforation lines in order to condition the RFID labelstrips as fanfolds or for folding the strips and easily separating theRFID labels (0). The distance between each line of perforation is atleast equal to the width of an RFID label (0).

According to another configuration, the strips assembled in thepreceding steps are continuously cut out longitudinally in order toobtain a plurality of strips with a dimension at least equal to thewidth of an RFID label (0) and the number of strips of which is equal tothe number of reels of functional layer (3). Each strip is subject to aseries of lines of perforations for conditioning the strips of RFIDlabels in fanfolds or for folding the strips and easily separating theRFID labels (0). The distance between each line of perforations is atleast equal to the length of the RFID label (0).

According to another configuration, the strips assembled in thepreceding steps are continuously cut out into individual RFID labels(0).

In a following step (Etp7), proper operation of each electroniccomponent system (301) connected to an antenna of each RFID label (0) iscontinuously controlled by means of a reader antenna.

In a following step, not shown, each electronic component associatedwith a label is subject to graphic and electric customization.Regardless of the presentation of the product in bobbins, in fanfolds orin individual labels, during customization according to the needs,reading of an identifier, coding of the electronic component andnumbering then allowing its printing, are for example possible, as wellas the creation of a log file or another file according to demand.

In a following step (Etp8), the bobbins, the fanfolds and the individuallabels may be conditioned depending on the needs or on request from aclient. With reference to FIG. 3, the production machine (10) accordingto the method for making the RFID label (0) includes an in linesuccession of stations including at least:

-   -   a reel (203) feeding station (501) for the lower layer (2),    -   a reel (103) feeding station (502) for the upper layer (1),    -   a station (505) including at least one reel feeding module        (3031, 3032) of strips for the functional layer (3),    -   at least one printing station (504) of the upper layer (1).

Preferentially, the production machine (10) further includes:

-   -   a reel feeding station (5001) for the detachable layer (4),    -   two automatic labeling heads (503) for continuously depositing        the adhesive lower surface of the strip of the lower layer (2)        onto the strip of the detachable layer (4).

Preferentially, the production machine (10) further includes:

-   -   a forming station (506) for the cutting-out,    -   a forming station (507) for presenting the RFID labels (0) as        bobbins, fanfolds or individual RFID labels.

It should be obvious for the person skilled in the art that the presentinvention allows embodiments under many other specific forms withoutdeparting from the field of application of the invention as claimed.Therefore, the present embodiment should be considered as anillustration, but may be modified within the field defined by the scopeof the appended claims, and the invention should not be limited to thedetails given above.

1. An RFID label comprising at least: one functional layer comprising atleast: one electronic component; and one antenna connected to theelectronic component; one upper layer; and one lower layer having anadhesive surface; wherein the upper and lower layers consist of one ormore materials capable of resisting ultraviolet radiation and/or offiltering ultraviolet radiation, wherein a supplementary protectionlayer against ultraviolet radiation is printed on the face opposite theadhesive surface of the lower layer.
 2. The RFID label according toclaim 1, wherein the upper layer is in paper.
 3. The RFID labelaccording to claim 1, wherein the upper layer is in a synthetic materialhaving a printable coating.
 4. The RFID label according to claim 1,wherein the lower layer is in paper capable of resisting ultravioletradiation and/or of filtering the ultraviolet radiation and having apressure sensitive face protected by a detachable layer.
 5. The RFIDlabel according to claim 1, wherein the lower layer is in syntheticmaterial capable of resisting ultraviolet radiation and/or of filteringthe ultraviolet radiation and having a pressure sensitive face protectedby a detachable layer.
 6. The RFID label according to claim 1, whereinthe lower layer has a printable surface.
 7. The RFID label according toclaim 1, wherein the pressure sensitive face consists of an adhesive,the physico-chemical properties of which do not deteriorate if subjectto ultraviolet radiation.
 8. The RFID label according to claim 4,wherein the detachable layer is in paper.
 9. The RFID label according toclaim 4, wherein the detachable layer is in synthetic material.
 10. TheRFID label according to claim 4, wherein the detachable layer issiliconized.
 11. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein thefunctional layer is in paper on which is etched or printed the antennaconnected to the electronic component.
 12. The RFID label according toclaim 1, wherein the functional layer is in flexible synthetic materialon which is etched or printed the antenna connected to the electroniccomponent.
 13. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the layersare assembled together by adhesive bonding.
 14. The RFID label accordingto claim 1, wherein the upper layer and/or the lower layer and/or thefunctional layer have a combination of inks capable of resistingultraviolet radiations and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation. 15.The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the upper layer and/or thelower layer and/or the functional layer have one or more layers forprinting a combination of inks capable of resisting ultravioletradiations and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation. 16-29. (canceled)30. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the supplementaryprotection layer is at least one ink layer. 31-33. (canceled)
 34. TheRFID label according to claim 1, wherein the supplementary protectionlayer is directly printed on the face opposite the adhesive surface ofthe lower layer.
 35. The RFID label according to claim 34, furthercomprising a detachable layer detachable to the adhesive face of thelower layer, wherein the lower layer with the printed supplementaryprotection layer is bonded between the functional layer and thedetachable layer.